The Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on the Contribution of Local Green Space and Nature Connection to Mental Health.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to green space and feeling connected to the natural environment have independently been associated with improved mental health outcomes. During the coronavirus pandemic, people experienced restrictions on access to the outdoors, and health data indicated a decline in mental health in the UK general population. METHODS: Data available from two independent surveys conducted prior to and during the pandemic enabled a naturally occurring comparison of mental health and its correlates prior to and during the pandemic. RESULTS: Survey responses from 877 UK residents were included in the analyses. Independent t-tests revealed significant declines in mental health scores during the pandemic. After controlling for age and gender, greater nature connection significantly predicted lower depression and stress and improved well-being. Percentage of green space did not significantly predict any mental health outcomes. Further, time point (pre- or during COVID) and the interaction of time point with green space and nature connection did not significantly predict any of the outcome measures. The findings indicate that nature connection may play an important role in promoting mental health. Strategies to improve mental health and reduce mental illness should consider the role of nature connection and the use of interventions that involve direct interaction with natural environments.

Green spaces for mental disorders.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Mental illness is a global challenge, exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Research suggests access to local green spaces is associated with better mental health, yet access is not always equitable. Evaluation of how nature-based interventions protect and support mental health is therefore required. RECENT FINDINGS: Accessible local green spaces are associated with better mental health. They encourage active behaviours and social interaction, reduce loneliness and stress. Green views from the home are associated with increased self-esteem, life satisfaction and happiness and reduced depression, anxiety and loneliness. Nature-based interventions and green social prescriptions effectively target vulnerable groups, resulting in significant reductions in depression, anxiety and anger alongside positive mental health outcomes. SUMMARY: Although existing evidence is encouraging, robust, high-quality research that strengthens the evidence base and informs future clinical practice and policy decision making is needed. Evidence of the long-term effectiveness in individuals with diagnosed mental illness is also required to ascertain the potential social and wider returns on investment. Barriers to use of green social prescriptions like mental health symptoms and geographical accessibility need to be overcome to increase accessibility and uptake of green social prescriptions for the prevention and treatment of mental illness.

The Impact of Therapeutic Community Gardening on the Wellbeing, Loneliness, and Life Satisfaction of Individuals with Mental Illness.

BACKGROUND: literature on the mental health benefits of therapeutic community gardening is not specific to individuals with mental illness and reports short-term outcomes. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on intervention effectiveness is also unknown. This study examined the impact of therapeutic community gardening prior to and across the pandemic on the wellbeing of individuals referred for support with their mental illness. METHODS: garden members (n = 53; male = 36, female = 17) aged 47.38 ± 13.09 years reported their wellbeing at baseline and four follow-up points (FU1-FU4) across the pandemic. RESULTS: there was significant quadratic growth in wellbeing (-1.248; p < 0.001) that varied between genders (p = 0.021). At baseline, male wellbeing scores were significantly lower (p = 0.020) than the UK population norm, but there were no significant differences at any other follow-up point. Female wellbeing was significantly lower than the UK population norm at baseline (p < 0.001), FU1 (p = 0.012) and FU2 (p < 0.001), but not FU3 and FU4. CONCLUSION: therapeutic community gardening can improve and maintain the wellbeing of individuals with mental illness, even when wellbeing is deteriorating nationally. Future research should further demonstrate the long-term and cost-effectiveness of interventions.

The SEND stay and play summer initiative 2020

345 Table 1Specific data per siteSite Name Total Bookings Total Attendees Total Volunteers BOST 56 89 1 Grove 65 57 2 High Trees 4 4 0 Lollard n/a n/a 1 Triangle n/a n/a 3 Kinetika Bloco n/a n/a 1 TOTAL 125 150 6 Feedback from parents:Feedback from parents was overwhelmingly positive;both they and their children appreciated the scheme’s usefulness and supported its continuation. See examples below:‘Keep it open because there are no places like this around.’‘Fun and accepting of Special Needs, Very Safe Play.’‘My son loves the scheme place. We would love him to keep coming here if this place carries on.’‘Our volunteer was our shining light!’Challenges and lessons learnt:Although the objective was met, areas of improvement were identified. The scheme would benefit with more planning time, enabling safer volunteer recruitment, including inductions and necessary safeguarding training. We suggest six weeks in advance.ConclusionsIn summary, Lambeth Children with Disabilities and Integrated Children’s Commissioning Group, with the help of KCL Paediatric Society, successfully launched a ‘stay and play’ scheme for children with special educational needs and disabilities during the nationwide lockdown. The scheme provided a safe space for carers, parents and children, reducing the challenges posed during the ongoing pandemic;improving their mental and physical wellbeing.